England cricket: James Anderson focuses on the ‘here and now’ not retirement

Stuart Broad is facing the axe for the winter tour of Sri Lanka

James Anderson Stuart Broad England cricket
England bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad
(Image credit: Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Just days after breaking Glenn McGrath’s Test wickets record and seeing his close friend Alastair Cook retire from international cricket, James Anderson says he is not looking too far ahead regarding his own future.

Anderson, 36, continues to top the ICC’s world bowling rankings, The Guardian reports, and after playing a major part in England’s 4-1 series win against India he is now focused on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

When asked about his future and possible retirement, Anderson told the Guardian: “I don’t really think about it. I play my best when I focus on what’s ahead of me, the next game, the next series, whatever. We have a decent break before Sri Lanka, I’ll try to get myself in the best condition possible to cope with the rigours of bowling seam.

“I read that Glenn McGrath said he went into the 2006 Ashes with no intention of retiring and by the end of it he thought his time was up. That could happen to me. Who knows? Look too far ahead, you take your eye off the here and now. That’s what I like to focus on.”

Broad facing axe for Sri Lanka tour

While Anderson has retained his position as England’s most dangerous weapon, his teammate and regular bowling partner Stuart Broad may miss out on selection for the Sri Lanka tour.

The Daily Mail reports that Broad, 32, could be England’s “highest profile casualty” by being left out of the squad for the Test series in November.

After a disappointing Ashes tour, Broad has remodelled his action and was in “much-improved form this summer”, says the Mail. However, when Ed Smith and the England selectors meet next week to pick the squad they could make the “big move” by dropping Broad.